British Rapper Central Cee Announces Conversion to Islam and Name Change
In a significant personal announcement, British rapper Central Cee has publicly confirmed his conversion to Islam and revealed he has changed his name. The 27-year-old artist, born Oakley Neil Caesar-Su, shared this transformative news directly with fans during a recent livestream hosted by PlaqueBoyMax.
Understated Announcement During Livestream
During the broadcast, Central Cee told viewers: “I just changed my name and took my shahada, I am a muslim now.” He further disclosed that he has changed his first name from Oakley to Akil/Aqeel. The Shahada represents the Islamic declaration of faith, marking a person's formal entry into the religion.
The moment was notably understated. Friends present on the livestream offered quiet congratulations, and the rapper himself provided no extended explanation or religious commentary. Central Cee did not elaborate on when the conversion occurred or what specific factors led to his decision, framing it instead as a personal step rather than a public statement.
Previous Hints and Speculation
Before this official confirmation, Central Cee had never publicly discussed his religious beliefs. However, speculation among fans had been building for years. In 2023, he posted an Instagram caption in Arabic text that translated to “I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil,” prompting questions about whether he had already embraced Islam privately. Until now, he had not addressed those assumptions directly.
Musical hints of this spiritual shift had also surfaced earlier. On his track “Booga” (2025), Central Cee raps, “Lord, forgive us as I'm a sinner, repent and pray, you accept our sunnah,” a line that clearly nods to repentance and Islamic practice while reflecting on his upbringing and past life in west London.
Background and Meteoric Rise
Raised in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, Central Cee grew up with his mother and two younger brothers after his parents separated when he was seven. His background includes an English mother and a father of Guyanese and Chinese heritage.
His musical journey began with appearances on platforms like Fire in the Streets in 2014 at age 16. His breakthrough arrived with “Day in the Life” in June 2020, before his rise accelerated dramatically in the early 2020s.
By 2021, Central Cee had become one of the defining figures in modern UK rap, blending drill foundations with melodic hooks and accessible storytelling. Tracks including “Sprinter,” “Doja” and “BAND4BAND” helped make him the first UK rapper to surpass one billion global streams. He has since collaborated with international superstars such as Drake, J. Cole, 21 Savage and Ice Spice. In 2024, he was reported to be the most-streamed UK rapper worldwide, with his net worth estimated between $6 million and $10 million.
Personal Reflections on Fame and Future
Away from music, Central Cee has spoken candidly about the pressures accompanying his high-profile career. In an interview with Complex last year, he admitted: “It’s only really starting to sink in now, I’ll be honest. I’ve been moving so fast for so long that I haven’t had time to take it all in.” He also described ongoing anxiety about constant touring, expressing concerns about his family's safety and the mental toll of non-stop work.
Despite these challenges, he has stated he is not fearful of his fame eventually fading, calling it inevitable and something he considers strategically. “How are we gonna manoeuvre and what’s the exit plan?” he said, adding that he wants the transition to be “as graceful as possible when that time comes.”
Islam in Global Context and Hip-Hop Culture
Islam stands as one of the world's fastest-growing religions, with more than two billion adherents globally. Approximately a quarter of the world's population identifies as Muslim, including roughly six percent of people in the United Kingdom. The Shahada, which Central Cee confirmed he has taken, serves as the core declaration of Islamic faith and marks formal entry into the religion.
Islam has maintained high visibility within hip-hop culture for decades, sometimes described as the genre's “official religion.” Numerous prominent artists including DJ Khaled, French Montana, Ice Cube, Akon, SZA, Yuna and Dua Lipa all have Muslim backgrounds or openly reference the faith in their work and public lives.
Following Central Cee's announcement, members of the Muslim community welcomed the news online, with many praising the low-key, personal manner in which he chose to share this significant life change.
